ABSTRACT

A mass spectrum consists of peaks corresponding to ions. The position of a peak on the x-axis is proportional to its mass (strictly, its m/z value), while the height of the peak on the y-axis gives the number of ions (abundances) at a particular m/z. The ions giving rise to the spectrum are formed in an ion source and are passed through an analyzer for measurement of m/z and into a detector for measurement of abundance (Figure 32.1).